"They sound like French butter..."
ZLTFUL
Posts: 5,648
This was my wife's reaction when I asked her how the speakers sounded as we auditioned them at the seller's house.
To understand her reaction, you have to understand French butter. French butter is a perfect blend of sweet and salty. It is very rich without being too rich to enjoy. It melts wonderfully and the flavors just smoothly blend together.
So to hear my wife exclaim that the speakers I was thinking about purchasing sounded like "French butter" meant that I found something that not only I enjoyed immensely, but something she appreciated as well.
Backtrack to my journey start with Polk. I knew of SDAs...RTAs...LSs...but only in passing. I had recently purchased a full set of Polk Audio speakers for my home theater upgrade.
New Monitor Series II speakers all around. Quite literally the whole range from 70s down to the lowly but wonderful in its role 30.
I enjoyed them a lot...for movies. But as soon as I started digging through my audio library and streaming songs to my new system, I started to nitpick everything.
It became rapidly evident that these weren't "audiophile" grade speakers. They sounded good for what I bought them for. But they left me wanting.
Wanting for a 2 channel system to listen strictly to music on.
So I began to plan.
Sources...have those.
Kenwood KD-550 TT
Pioneer Elite DV-47ai for CD/SACD audio
My FLAC library on my media server. (Dun'a worry lads...got me a fabulous DAC in the form of a PS Audio NuWave I got as a "Needs Repair" unit...about $27 in parts and 2 hours of labor later, she's a purrin' like a kitten, cap'n.)
Processing...got this too.
Rotel RSP-1068 (My own experiences with this unit gave me confidence to help my friend recently get his back up and running) It is a pretty good (but dated) surround processor but also has a great reputation as a 2 channel Pre/Pro.
Amplification...Grab your pitchforks and BURN HIM!!!
Emotiva XPA-200 (Also have a UPA-5 and UPA-2 for my theater system...and under $1k for all 3, I couldn't pass it up especially with all 3 having 3.5 years of warranty left)
Cables...Hey...I make those!
Audioquest custom built Flex series speaker cables (bananas and spades and wires...oh my!)
Emotiva X Series ICs
Speakers...uh...pssssst....Houston...we have a problem...
So now my 2 channel system is ready to roll...except for one major problem...now where did I put those output devices...?
I had a pair of JBL 4800s I had picked up from the guy I got the DV-47 from. But these speakers...I always meant to just flip them. I rewired them internally to 14 gauge wire. I replaced the spring terminal cups with a set of nice gold 5 way binding post cups.
I cleaned them up.
I hooked them up.
I listened...
I had to turn the volume to at least 60 on the Rotel to get the sound to fill out. Below 60, no bass...flat and stale sounding mids and tinny sounding highs.
Once the level exceeds 60 however, LOOK OUT! Ok...not really but the sound really did make a night and day transition. Suddenly everything sounded good.
Nothing awe inspiring but definitely a HUGE improvement over sub-60 volumes.
But I can't always listen at those volumes. Stupid neighbors need to abandon this place. Never mind that we live in a townhouse development...what about my acoustic needs??!
OK OK...fine. We will begin to scour the earth for a suitable replacement. So enter the Club Polk forums.
You guys are GREAT. Welcoming of new members. Happy to throw advice and great resources of knowledge.
But I digress.
I started lurking around for some 2 channel knowledge.
After reading threads and examining my budget, I decided that I wanted speakers. (Gee...ya think?!?)
I narrowed my choices down to SDA-CRS/+, SDA-2s, Monitor 10/11/12, RTA-11TL, RTA-15TL or an immaculate set of LS90s.
I also considered some other manufacturer vintage options. But what I was looking for could only be found in the Polk lineup...well at least until I win the lottery anyway.
I started scouring Craiglist and eBay. Glanced around here and kept my eye on the vintage Polk deals thread.
About a week or so ago, a gentleman in Chicago who is a member here posted that he had just put his 11TLs up on CL and they were a pretty good deal to begin with. Plus he mentioned a discount for Club members.
But I was beat to the punch by someone else. (No hard feelings at all Enders...just let me hear em next time I am in Indy for a race! And grats on the awesome score again).
So I continued to look and research. I found a few pairs of CRSs...but they were either overpriced or too far to conveniently drive (I consider anything over 1500 one way my cut off point for travel for this hobby). Shipping wasn't an option as most shippers willing to move speakers of these sizes were more than the gas cost to go get 'em myself.
Found a set of 11TLs in out west for similar pricing to the set in Chicago. So I reached out to the guy.
Aside from the drive out there taking 32 hours round trip, I was getting a bad vibe from the guy that if I made this trip, the speakers may or may not be there still. Plus he was very back and forth about getting rid of them. Finally the seller just decided he didn't want to part with them. I should have thanked him as $300 in gas would have seriously dented my speaker buying budget.
A couple of sets of CRSs were located but neither seller seemed incredibly interested in getting back to me.
eBay was being a flop...
So I shifted my looking to Klipsch KG series speakers. I didn't exclude Polks, but my focus shifted because of the bad luck I was having tracking down what I really wanted.
My uncle is a HUGE Klipsch guy and he has a set of KG 4s in his collection. He also has a surround systems consisting of the "new" KGs. 4.2s, 3.2s, 4.5s...etc.
The more we talked, the more I was willing to look at the KGs...even if the Klipsch community places them in the "not real" Klipsch category.
So I began my search anew. Not removing my Polk searches but just adding the Klipsch options as well.
A couple of days ago, an ad pops up on CL up in Minnesota.
"Sterero Speakers" caught my eye due to the misspelling. Turns out that the ad was for a pair of RTA-15TLs.
Emails are exchanged, calls are made.
The plan is to drive up Saturday, listen, buy, return home.
On our last call, he mentions that his son has a pair of Klipsch speakers in his garage he wants to get rid of as well. And says I can take a look at em while I am there.
My wife and I get up bright and early this morning (Saturday) and head into the great frozen north.
We get to the guy's house and he shows us the speakers, auditions them, my wife and I talk...she says "French butter"...etc.
I ask about the speakers out in the garage. So he takes me out to his garage and on his work bench is a pair of Klipsch KG 3.2s.
He says that if I give him his asking on the RTAs, he will throw in the Klipschs for free.
Of course I will take them...if anything, I can clean them up and flip them.
So we load up the wife's truck-car (That's what she calls her hatchback) and head back home.
Without further ado, I present you your newest RTA fanboy, ME!
I love these things. Everything sounds smooth and effortless so far. Condition is amazing. Unfortunately, between the flash and the lighting, the pictures look sort of like there is dome damage on some of the drivers but rest assured, there is most certainly not. All drivers are clean and functioning properly.
I was worried due to the size and the rear radiator would cause issues in my listening room. But turns out, they sound amazing without enough room for now.
Anyway, my brain is pudding from the long drive today so the pics of today's acquisition are below and I am going to call it a night.
More info as I check them out and begin to plan all of the upgrades.
To understand her reaction, you have to understand French butter. French butter is a perfect blend of sweet and salty. It is very rich without being too rich to enjoy. It melts wonderfully and the flavors just smoothly blend together.
So to hear my wife exclaim that the speakers I was thinking about purchasing sounded like "French butter" meant that I found something that not only I enjoyed immensely, but something she appreciated as well.
Backtrack to my journey start with Polk. I knew of SDAs...RTAs...LSs...but only in passing. I had recently purchased a full set of Polk Audio speakers for my home theater upgrade.
New Monitor Series II speakers all around. Quite literally the whole range from 70s down to the lowly but wonderful in its role 30.
I enjoyed them a lot...for movies. But as soon as I started digging through my audio library and streaming songs to my new system, I started to nitpick everything.
It became rapidly evident that these weren't "audiophile" grade speakers. They sounded good for what I bought them for. But they left me wanting.
Wanting for a 2 channel system to listen strictly to music on.
So I began to plan.
Sources...have those.
Kenwood KD-550 TT
Pioneer Elite DV-47ai for CD/SACD audio
My FLAC library on my media server. (Dun'a worry lads...got me a fabulous DAC in the form of a PS Audio NuWave I got as a "Needs Repair" unit...about $27 in parts and 2 hours of labor later, she's a purrin' like a kitten, cap'n.)
Processing...got this too.
Rotel RSP-1068 (My own experiences with this unit gave me confidence to help my friend recently get his back up and running) It is a pretty good (but dated) surround processor but also has a great reputation as a 2 channel Pre/Pro.
Amplification...Grab your pitchforks and BURN HIM!!!
Emotiva XPA-200 (Also have a UPA-5 and UPA-2 for my theater system...and under $1k for all 3, I couldn't pass it up especially with all 3 having 3.5 years of warranty left)
Cables...Hey...I make those!
Audioquest custom built Flex series speaker cables (bananas and spades and wires...oh my!)
Emotiva X Series ICs
Speakers...uh...pssssst....Houston...we have a problem...
So now my 2 channel system is ready to roll...except for one major problem...now where did I put those output devices...?
I had a pair of JBL 4800s I had picked up from the guy I got the DV-47 from. But these speakers...I always meant to just flip them. I rewired them internally to 14 gauge wire. I replaced the spring terminal cups with a set of nice gold 5 way binding post cups.
I cleaned them up.
I hooked them up.
I listened...
I had to turn the volume to at least 60 on the Rotel to get the sound to fill out. Below 60, no bass...flat and stale sounding mids and tinny sounding highs.
Once the level exceeds 60 however, LOOK OUT! Ok...not really but the sound really did make a night and day transition. Suddenly everything sounded good.
Nothing awe inspiring but definitely a HUGE improvement over sub-60 volumes.
But I can't always listen at those volumes. Stupid neighbors need to abandon this place. Never mind that we live in a townhouse development...what about my acoustic needs??!
OK OK...fine. We will begin to scour the earth for a suitable replacement. So enter the Club Polk forums.
You guys are GREAT. Welcoming of new members. Happy to throw advice and great resources of knowledge.
But I digress.
I started lurking around for some 2 channel knowledge.
After reading threads and examining my budget, I decided that I wanted speakers. (Gee...ya think?!?)
I narrowed my choices down to SDA-CRS/+, SDA-2s, Monitor 10/11/12, RTA-11TL, RTA-15TL or an immaculate set of LS90s.
I also considered some other manufacturer vintage options. But what I was looking for could only be found in the Polk lineup...well at least until I win the lottery anyway.
I started scouring Craiglist and eBay. Glanced around here and kept my eye on the vintage Polk deals thread.
About a week or so ago, a gentleman in Chicago who is a member here posted that he had just put his 11TLs up on CL and they were a pretty good deal to begin with. Plus he mentioned a discount for Club members.
But I was beat to the punch by someone else. (No hard feelings at all Enders...just let me hear em next time I am in Indy for a race! And grats on the awesome score again).
So I continued to look and research. I found a few pairs of CRSs...but they were either overpriced or too far to conveniently drive (I consider anything over 1500 one way my cut off point for travel for this hobby). Shipping wasn't an option as most shippers willing to move speakers of these sizes were more than the gas cost to go get 'em myself.
Found a set of 11TLs in out west for similar pricing to the set in Chicago. So I reached out to the guy.
Aside from the drive out there taking 32 hours round trip, I was getting a bad vibe from the guy that if I made this trip, the speakers may or may not be there still. Plus he was very back and forth about getting rid of them. Finally the seller just decided he didn't want to part with them. I should have thanked him as $300 in gas would have seriously dented my speaker buying budget.
A couple of sets of CRSs were located but neither seller seemed incredibly interested in getting back to me.
eBay was being a flop...
So I shifted my looking to Klipsch KG series speakers. I didn't exclude Polks, but my focus shifted because of the bad luck I was having tracking down what I really wanted.
My uncle is a HUGE Klipsch guy and he has a set of KG 4s in his collection. He also has a surround systems consisting of the "new" KGs. 4.2s, 3.2s, 4.5s...etc.
The more we talked, the more I was willing to look at the KGs...even if the Klipsch community places them in the "not real" Klipsch category.
So I began my search anew. Not removing my Polk searches but just adding the Klipsch options as well.
A couple of days ago, an ad pops up on CL up in Minnesota.
"Sterero Speakers" caught my eye due to the misspelling. Turns out that the ad was for a pair of RTA-15TLs.
Emails are exchanged, calls are made.
The plan is to drive up Saturday, listen, buy, return home.
On our last call, he mentions that his son has a pair of Klipsch speakers in his garage he wants to get rid of as well. And says I can take a look at em while I am there.
My wife and I get up bright and early this morning (Saturday) and head into the great frozen north.
We get to the guy's house and he shows us the speakers, auditions them, my wife and I talk...she says "French butter"...etc.
I ask about the speakers out in the garage. So he takes me out to his garage and on his work bench is a pair of Klipsch KG 3.2s.
He says that if I give him his asking on the RTAs, he will throw in the Klipschs for free.
Of course I will take them...if anything, I can clean them up and flip them.
So we load up the wife's truck-car (That's what she calls her hatchback) and head back home.
Without further ado, I present you your newest RTA fanboy, ME!
I love these things. Everything sounds smooth and effortless so far. Condition is amazing. Unfortunately, between the flash and the lighting, the pictures look sort of like there is dome damage on some of the drivers but rest assured, there is most certainly not. All drivers are clean and functioning properly.
I was worried due to the size and the rear radiator would cause issues in my listening room. But turns out, they sound amazing without enough room for now.
Anyway, my brain is pudding from the long drive today so the pics of today's acquisition are below and I am going to call it a night.
More info as I check them out and begin to plan all of the upgrades.
"Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
Post edited by ZLTFUL on
Comments
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"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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Nice deal.Those 15's look great.
After the modded xovers,rings,dynamat,jb weld they will be amazing.
I should pull mine out and give them a run through.
One of my favorites for sure.Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC
Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords
I’M OFFENDED!!!! -
Nice write-up, congrats on the speakers. Btw, you wouldn't happen to be a aspiring writer would you?Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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Congrats and nice write up. Hope you enjoy them."Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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Congrats!! Enjoy your new speaks.
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As I read through this op,I began to think,hell, is this guy a writer??!! Then I read down,and see a few others thought the same thing! Then I think,how the hell do I know this is well written! Lol! Very nice story,and very well written! Sure is fun finding something new! Especially when it pans out better then u think!
But seriously bud! You should take ur skills to a columnist! If u aren't one already! Congrats,and enjoy!"Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for" -
LOL. Thanks guys. I have actually had a few items published. A poem in junior high and a couple of short stories in high school. It helped that my aunt was a publisher for decades. Hehe.
But anymore, I am just a computer nerd with a passion for anything that requires a current to power.
Johnny, that is the exact brand she is referring to. She uses it quite a bit as a rather awesome chef. (There's a damned good reason I have gained 50lbs since we moved in together)
They already have the dynamat done and the crossovers are VR3Mods the previous owner had done before they decided to move.
No JB Weld or rings yet but definitely on the to-do list.
Today I lugged them upstairs into my office to begin setting them up. But first I need to relocate the Bowflex to the garage.
I also have a buyer coming over to check out the 4800s today and another guy that wants to buy my old TV. If I can move those then the weekend will have paid for itself by quite a bit."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Great story and congratulations. If you think they are french butter now, just wait until you swap the SL-3000 tweeters for RDO-198's. The highs will take on a more silky texture, perhaps a tad less salt. Upgrade the crossover caps and resistors and the sound stage will open up revealing a broader bouquet.
My RTA11TL little sisters to your RTA15TL's benefited greatly from these simple upgrades.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
OP: are you in Indy as a race fan or employee of a race team? I ask because I have friends in the industry working for Andretti racing and another team....
Also glad it worked out for you.
I pick mine up this sat.
P.S. Spike those things...."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
EndersShadow wrote: »OP: are you in Indy as a race fan or employee of a race team? I ask because I have friends in the industry working for Andretti racing and another team....
Also glad it worked out for you.
I pick mine up this sat.
P.S. Spike those things....
Fan mostly although I have worked for Monster Energy fulfilling several roles at MotoGP races here in the states. Mainly as chief oogler for the umbrella girls.
I have been to every one of the MotoGP races and also to several of the past 7 500s. A good friend of mine was college roommates with Ed Carpenter. I don't get into auto racing much...prefer Motos and F1. But I love the pit atmosphere of Indy.
Already ordered the spikes. Hehe.
skrol, they already have VR3Mods xovers and the RDO-198s will be ordered on Tuesday. "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Fan mostly although I have worked for Monster Energy fulfilling several roles at MotoGP races here in the states. Mainly as chief oogler for the umbrella girls.
I have been to every one of the MotoGP races and also to several of the past 7 500s. A good friend of mine was college roommates with Ed Carpenter. I don't get into auto racing much...prefer Motos and F1. But I love the pit atmosphere of Indy.
Already ordered the spikes. Hehe.
skrol, they already have VR3Mods xovers and the RDO-198s will be ordered on Tuesday.
Cool, I also preferred the F1 races myself and Moto GP. Been to one of each of those, been to INDY testing but thats it. This year I think I will try to use my connections to get some hook ups at the track... "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
